Veronica Jorge: November Featured Author
November 29, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Apples & Oranges by Marianne H. Donley, Featured Author of the Month tagged as Featured author, Reviewed by Veronica Jorge, Veronica Jorge, Write from the heart
Manager, Educator, and former High School Social Studies teacher, Veronica credits her love of history to the potpourri of cultures that make up her own life and to her upbringing in diverse Brooklyn, New York.
Her Work in Progress is a Young Adult Novel based on a search into her ethnic roots that explores identity, belonging, and self-discovery. Her genres of choice are historical fiction, where she always makes new discoveries, literary works because she loves beautiful writing, and children’s picture books because there are so many wonderful worlds yet to be imagined and visited.
She currently resides in Macungie, PA., but she’s still a Brooklyn girl at heart. How sweet it is!
Veronica’s story “Fiona Malone’s Fesh,” was featured in the Fall 2021 Issue of Bethlehem Writers Roundtable and is archived above.
In addition to her fiction, she has a monthly column, Write from the Heart, here on A Slice of Orange where she writes about writing, life and does book reviews.
Connect with her on Facebook @VeronicaJorgeauthor
Books Reviewed by Veronica
Winter’s Coming by Neetu
November 26, 2024 by Neetu Malik in category Poet's Day by Neetu Malik tagged as Fog, Neetu, November
Winter’s Coming
November draws me
into bleak arms
I wonder where the leaves
have gone—
though I know, yet I walk in
nameless hope
of miracle
in this ghastly fog
so dense, so deep that
I am lost
stepping on crumbled
autumn stalks
I remember your face
with wisdom drawn,
how it still shone
after its light was robbed
but now there’s just me,
the part that’s left of your artery
the purple sunset a reminder
of approaching dark,
who I am and how
mortal we are.
© Neetu Malik
Some of Neetu’s Books
Attention Writers!
November 25, 2024 by Kidd Wadsworth in category Infused with Meaning by Kidd Wadsworth, Writing
Attention Writers!
The Lyrical Language Lab is having a Rhyming Poetry Contest for kidlit. The theme is “Winter Wanderings: Nature Poem.” Your submission must not exceed sixteen lines (excluding the title) and be suitable for elementary, middle grade, or young adult readers. Submissions are being accepted now through December 8th. For more information, please go to:
Happy Writing!
—Kidd
A SKY FULL OF SONG by SUSAN LYNN MEYER—A REVIEW BY VERONICA JORGE
November 22, 2024 by Veronica Jorge in category Write From the Heart by Veronica Jorge tagged as A Sky Full of Song, book review, Chanukah, Susan Lynn Meyer
Union Square Kids, 2023
ISBN 978-1-4549-4784-4
Sydney Taylor Honor Award-Winning Author.
Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award for Western Fiction: Young Readers.
When you think of Chanukah, the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, which begins on December 25th this year, you probably don’t associate it with starting a new life on the American prairie. It may be that you have no connection with either experience. But we can all relate to something they both share in common: a desire to establish your place in the world, and to preserve your identity. Even when faced with apparently insurmountable obstacles.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s, A Sky Full of Song, unfolds in the early 1900s. The protagonist, eleven-year-old Shoshona and her family, have fled Jewish persecution in the Russian empire and hope to find safety in North Dakota, and start a new life.
The wide open country offers Shoshona many opportunities for discoveries, and a world of exploration. It also presents challenges, like learning English, and understanding different customs. Her traditions are so unlike those of all of her classmates. Especially the upcoming Christmas holiday, which her family doesn’t celebrate, but where she is expected to sing a song. Should she refuse?
Eager to make friends and fit in, she struggles with her Jewish identity. How much can she share about her ways without them rejecting her? Some already bully her. Or is it best to hide who she really is?
When a blizzard hits and darkness engulfs the prairie, the menorah in Shoshona’s window illuminates the night, providing a guiding light for someone in need, and an opportunity for Shoshona to share the story of Chanukah and the meaning of the light.
At the Christmas concert that takes place after the storm has passed, Shoshona makes a decision to sing, not a Christmas carol, but a song from her country in her own language about new beginnings.
Susan Lynn Meyer’s story is beautifully written and filled with poetic lines, evocative imagery, and memorable phrases that will sing in your heart. A story of belonging, acceptance, identity, and of remaining true to yourself, A Sky Full of Song reminds us of the importance of singing your own special song, and of shining your own unique light.
Veronica Jorge
See you next time on December 22nd!
We Have Liftoff!
November 15, 2024 by Renae Wrich in category WritingI’m thrilled to announce that my second book, Mac and Cheese in Outer Space is officially available! The book was published last week. Unfortunately, early November in an election year is not the greatest timing to be putting a new book on blast. On the other hand, it provided me more time for a soft-launch with family and friends. Big shout out to my Mom, whose quilting friends are purchasing the book in record numbers. You’re the best, Mom!
I’m super excited to share this book with the world. It would not have been possible without my daughters, who also inspired my first book, Mac and Cheese, Please, Please, Please. Soon after MCPPP was published, they begged me to write a book about mac and cheese in outer space. I immediately blanked. How do I write a book about macaroni and cheese in outer space? In the years that followed I let the idea marinate slowly, visiting it like an old friend from time to time. It finally came together earlier this year and I could not be happier with how it all turned out.
I partnered with my previous illustrator, Winda Mulyasari, and I’m in so awe of her process and her ability to take my ideas and turn them into magical illustrations. Asking someone to illustrate the planet Mars holding a bowl of macaroni and cheese that looks like Flaming Hot Cheetos, is not for the faint of heart.
Wondering where the mac and cheese journey will go from here? My kids have already supplied the idea for the next mac and cheese book. Here’s a hint- Bring your sunscreen.
Mac and Cheese in Outer Space is available now on Amazon.com.
Please visit www.renaewrich.com to learn more.
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